For a second match in a row, South Africa struck first and looked poised to take its first win at a Women’s World Cup. And for a second match in a row, the South Africans left the field disappointed.
South Africa took a two-goal lead in the second half on Friday in Dunedin, New Zealand, over a struggling Argentina squad. But Argentina, who had only scored after halftime in its World Cup history, scored twice in five minutes to draw even, and the game ended in a 2-2 tie.
South Africa had taken a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute on a breakaway led by Thembi Kgatlana, who was initially called offside. Anticipating an offside call, the Argentine players had seemed to give up on the play, which allowed Kgatlana to make an easy pass to Linda Motlhalo for the score. After a video review, the goal was granted.
The South Africans appeared to have put the game away in the 66th minute when Jermaine Seoposenwe won the ball away from Aldana Cometti and slipped it to the top of the 6-yard box for Kgatlana, who booted it past the Argentine goalkeeper, Vanina Correa.
But Argentina seemed to collect itself after going down by two goals, ratcheting up the pressure with more regular attacks. A patch of chaotic play in front of South Africa’s goal yielded several good chances for Argentina, including a shot saved by a South African defender, Lebohang Ramalepe, after the goalkeeper had come off her line.
But then a clearance from Ramalepe found Argentina’s Sophia Braun, a native of Oregon, outside the top of the penalty box. She gathered the ball and struck it cleanly, curling it into the right side of the net in the 74th minute.
The Argentines kept up the pressure, and five minutes later they were rewarded. Yamila Rodríguez sent a long cross into the box, and the ball was deflected into the goal by Romina Núñez, who had been a halftime substitute.
South Africa had also scored the first goal in its first match of the tournament against Sweden. But the Swedes stormed back to eventually take the lead in the 90th minute.
South Africa will next face Italy, while Argentina will take on Sweden. Friday’s draw did neither team any favors; with 1 point each in the standings, neither is likely to make the round of 16 out of Group G.
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